Bernard Schoenburg: McMenamin exploits finance loophole

Wednesday

Apr 27, 2011 at 12:01 AMApr 27, 2011 at 5:36 AM

Ward 7 Ald.-elect JOE McMENAMIN is now the poster child for why a glitch in campaign finance law should be changed — at least if you believe the public should have some indication before an election of how much money a candidate is raising.

Ward 7 Ald.-elect JOE McMENAMIN is now the poster child for why a glitch in campaign finance law should be changed — at least if you believe the public should have some indication before an election of how much money a candidate is raising.

McMenamin, a lawyer, correctly says he followed the law. But in the process, he also actively skirted disclosing his campaign finance picture.

McMenamin’s campaign on Jan. 2 filed a “statement of organization” with the State Board of Elections, showing he had $475 on hand at the time. That was the last document posted until after the April 5 election. He filed his quarterly report, for January through March, on April 15.

It turns out that McMenamin brought in $4,500 from the federal campaign fund he used when he made an unsuccessful run for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House in the 19th Congressional District in 2008. But as a commenter on SJ-R.com pointed out under a story Monday about aldermanic fundraising, McMenamin took the cash in $900 increments. And because new campaign finance reforms have been interpreted to no longer require quick reporting of big donations in their aggregate amount, the public never got word until later.

Before Jan. 1, any donation of more than $500 in the final 30 days of a campaign would have had to be reported on what is called an A-1 form within two business days. But now, donations of $1,000 or more must be reported within five business days at any time, and within two business days in the final 30 days of a campaign. But only individual checks are required to be reported. Even two checks of $999 in the same envelope would not have to be reported quickly, said DAVID MORRISON, deputy director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.

McMenamin, who defeated JOHN LAURENZANA and MICHAEL HIGGINS for the Ward 7 seat, clearly knew this.

“I didn’t want our opponents to know what sources of funding and what amounts might be there at the outset because that could encourage them to ramp up their own campaigns to a greater extent,” McMenamin said.

He volunteered that the $6,920 he and his wife, LYNN, combined to loan the campaign also came in the same way. Each of them provided two $900 loans, one of $700 and another of $960. He also said that as part of “respecting donors,” he told some contributors they could give in less than $1,000 amounts to avoid quick reporting.

McMenamin said part of the reason for incremental donations was because it was uncertain how much the campaign would cost. He also said filing fewer reports is less complex, and “part of being a good manager is to avoid complexity.”

But while all that is legal, it still kept the public in the dark until after the election — which is the fault of the law. Also gone under the reforms is a “30-day” report that had required candidates to disclose fundraising amounts up to a month before the election. Now, only quarterly reports give the full picture.

“I was basically following the rules,” McMenamin said.

“I admire his honesty,” Morrison said, but the public still didn’t see pre-election disclosure.

“We think the General Assembly should revisit the aggregation rule,” Morrison said.

DeMonte to speak today
DEMETRA DeMONTE of Pekin, secretary of the Republican National Committee, will speak at noon today to the Sangamon County Republican Network lunch at the Sangamo Club, 227 E. Adams St., Springfield. JERRY WHITE, club president, said the $16-per-person lunch is open to the public.

Sangamon County Regional Superintendent of Schools JEFF VOSE will also speak.

Formerly chair of the Tazewell County GOP and on the Republican State Central Committee, Demonte became RNC committeewoman for Illinois in 2008, and RNC secretary in January.

‘Capitol Capers’ set for May 11
The sixth biennial “Capitol Capers” promises to once again show us unknown talents that lurk, often undetected, under the Statehouse dome.

The show is a fundraiser for the Conference of Women Legislators.

State Rep. KAREN MAY, D-Highland Park, co-producer with Rep. SARA FEIGENHOLTZ, D-Chicago, has hinted at what’s to be seen. Written once again by Chicago scribes RHONA and JULIAN FRAZIN, the theme is based on “The Wizard of Oz,” with a legislative freshman lifted by a Midwestern tornado into Emerald City, also known as Springfield.

Among cast members are Rep. DAVID WINTERS, R-Shirland, as the scarecrow; Sen. JOHN MILLNER, R-Carol Stream, as the tin man; Sen. PAM ALTHOFF, R-McHenry, as the cowardly lion; Rep. RITA MAYFIELD, D-Waukegan, as the evil witch; and May as Glenda, the good witch.

And yes, Majority Leader BARBARA FLYNN CURRIE, D-Chicago, will have a song. The director is Rep. PATTI BELLOCK, R-Hinsdale.

The $150-per-person event is at 5:30 p.m. May 11 at the Hilton Springfield, 700 E. Adams St., and includes a buffet and cash bar. The performance is to start at 6:30.

COWL provides 10 to 12 $2,500 scholarships annually to women of all ages, with special attention, May said, to returning students and minorities.

The not-for profit group also helps provide leadership training for 20 college women in a weeklong course each summer in Chicago, in partnership with the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, said executive director DEBORAH MURPHY.

Advance sales are appreciated, but tickets will also be at the door. Information is available from Murphy at cowl.ilga@yahoo.com or 725-4911.

Bernard Schoenburg is political columnist for The State Journal-Register. He can be reached at 788-1540 or bernard.schoenburg@sj-r.com.